This is not really the place for this discussion (I probably shouldn't have started it in the first place, but apparently I am still a bit bitter), but I will briefly respond.
> You must have said something really atrocious.
No, I just stated facts (the US performing poorly on various measures).
> Is this a problem on HN? I haven't noticed it.
I didn't either. I'm not sure if it's a problem, maybe I just had bad luck. It might also have to do with how banning works: You can see your posts, but others can. So banned folks might not realize that they are banned.
> And the comment above you make reference to, though a bit tactless, is OK in my opinion.
In my opinion too. And, as I said, my remarks were similar (I think even less tactless, as I was just stating facts).
> You must have said something really atrocious.
No, I just stated facts (the US performing poorly on various measures).
> Is this a problem on HN? I haven't noticed it.
I didn't either. I'm not sure if it's a problem, maybe I just had bad luck. It might also have to do with how banning works: You can see your posts, but others can. So banned folks might not realize that they are banned.
> And the comment above you make reference to, though a bit tactless, is OK in my opinion.
In my opinion too. And, as I said, my remarks were similar (I think even less tactless, as I was just stating facts).